We’ve just launched a contest with Hot Mama Health & Fitness called Rock Your Routine. We’re trying to encourage people to schedule their workouts and stick to them for 6 weeks. You pledge $25 and commit to at least 3, 30-minute workouts per week for 6 weeks. Meet the challenge and you get your money back, receive a “I Rocked My Routine” tank AND get entered to win $500.
Anywho…that’s not what this post is about. BUT…it did get me thinking about what it takes to commit to fitness and to getting through your workouts. It got me thinking about what you need to bring to each workout. No, I’m not talking about clothing (though you should definitely wear that), running shoes (also important), headbands, earbuds, music, etc. No, I’m not talking about any of that. I’m talking about what YOU need to bring to EACH workout, internally.
Inside you. Not the external stuff. I’m talking about the mental grit.
Here’s my list of 5 things you need to bring to each workout and to each fitness program you begin:
1) Motivation. Now, I’m not saying every day you’re going to be the most motivated person out there. That every day you’re going to shout “I’m soooo motivated to get this workout done!”. I’m amazing! No, I know and respect the fact that some days you’re going to look lovingly at your couch and think about saying “I’ll go tomorrow”, but the key is to dig deep and remember your goals. Think about what motivated you in the first place. Put it at the forefront of your mind and let that motivation drag you out the door and to your workout. No motivation? You’re not going to follow through. So, every workout remember the “thing” that is motivating you to get sweaty. Let that “thing” be constantly in your mind. Allow your motivation to…well…motivate you to get your buns moving.
2) Determination. You’re going to need determination to get through each workout. Oh yes you will. Why? Because if you’re challenging yourself the way you should be challenging yourself during your workouts there is going to come a time when you’ll think “Yeah, okay…that’s good enough. I don’t need to go further”. Know what? You do. You’re going to need your determination to push you through that workout and finish strong. You need to be determined to not quit, to push harder, to dig deeper. No determination? No growth. Trust me.
3) Confidence. Be confident when you’re going through your workout. No more negative self talk. No more doubting yourself. No more pretending you don’t know what you’re doing. Big breath in, shoulders back, chin up, walk into your workout with confidence. Tell yourself that you will confidently complete each workout. You got this. You’re getting stronger with each workout. BAM! Confidence is key.
4) Stick-to-itiveness. As I mentioned before, in each workout or in each fitness program there’s going to be a time you’re going to want to quit. It’s going to take your stick-to-itiveness to bash it out, complete the workout and finish the program you’re currently going through. You’re going to have to suck it up and get it done. You don’t quit. YOU STICK. You’ve come this far, Mama, why the heck quit now? Stick and commit. Commit and stick. Ain’t nothing gonna break your stride (I desperately hope you get that song in your head as it’s in mine now). Stick it out. Work it out. You need to bring that to every workout. You finish each workout strong and you get strong, that’s how it works.
5) Humor. For goodness sake, fitness should be fun! Laugh, tease, make fun of yourself. Love yourself. Working out doesn’t have to always be uber serious. Joke with your friends and have a laugh. If you’re by yourself, be light and be silly. Unless you’re an athlete training hard for a competition…lighten up, party people. It’s just fitness. Make a mistake? Laugh. Then get back to work. Have no idea what you’re doing? Laugh…then ask someone for help. Bring humor and fun to your workouts and you’ll be way more likely to look forward to each and every one.
There you have. The five things you absolutely need to bring to each workout. If you miss even one of these “things”, you’re going to wimp out of your workout and not commit and finish your fitness program.